Clergy members ask organizer to cancel drag queen performance Oct. 1 in Albion

Posted 15 September 2023 at 11:51 am

Editor:

It has come to our attention that a drag queen performance has been scheduled at The Lockstone in Albion for Sunday, October 1^st. We, the undersigned pastors and ministry leaders in the community would like to address this.

We acknowledge the right of the organizers to hold this event and for people to attend, but we believe that its overall impact would be detrimental to our community. We respect those who hold different views; however, we believe that many share our concerns. In light of that, we are happy to represent those who feel as we do.

As most of you are aware, there have been attempts across the country to make drag more and more mainstream in our society. According to GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) “drag queens are men, typically gay men, who dress like women for the purpose of entertainment.”

While the scheduled event is for those 21 and over, we are also aware of the emergence of “drag queen story hours” for children that have been taking place across the country. One of our concerns is that the attempt to normalize drag queen events such as the one scheduled for October 1^st is a precursor to prepare the community for further drag queen events, including drag queen story hours.

One of the performers who is slated to appear in Albion stated on his website that his desire is to be a “queer role model.” Video footage of him conducting children’s story hours is also found on his page.

Clearly, there are sexual overtones and implicit sexual content in most drag performances. While that content is not emphasized in the story hour setting, it remains a significant part of the drag world. Just as most in the community would not endorse “adult film star story hours”, or “exotic dancer story hours”, even if those individuals were not directly promoting the industry that they represent, common sense tells us that such events would be inappropriate for children.

We, the undersigned, respectfully ask the organizers of this event to cancel the upcoming show.

Pastor Tim Lindsay – Harvest Christian Fellowship

Pastor Russ Peters – Alabama Full Gospel Fellowship

Pastors Jovannie & Melisa Canales – Oasis Church

Pastor Bryan McDowell – Oak Orchard Assembly of God

Pastor Dan Thurber – Oak Orchard Assembly of God

Chaplain Don Snyder – Oak Orchard Assembly of God

Pastors Tim & Virginia Thomas – The River at Orleans County New York Church

Pastors Sam & Sue Hershberger – Faith Covenant Fellowship

Pastor Vincent Iorio – Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God

Chaplain Ayesha Kreutz – Frederick Douglass Foundation of New York

Pastor Rich Allis – Light of Victory Church